currently I have only 6-point sockets. like most i've been coming across the random 12-point here and there. i'm interested in picking up some 12-points for the tool box. which drive size do you guys feel is most useful? i understand having all 3 is probably best and in multiple depths... but if you could only get one or two sets which would be the most valuable to have? i'm no pro wrench just a guy who works on alot of his own toys and car. any input would be great.
12-point sockets, which drive size?
- Thread starter deadguy
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Paladin
Well-known member
If I could only have one set, it would be 3/8" drive, although shortly there after I'd start saving for a set in 1/2" drive as well.
PS: Welcome to GJ!
PS: Welcome to GJ!
Uncle Buck
Banned
Merkava_4
Banned
I'd say it depends on the size of the fastener. If you have a 12-point bolt that's a size 1/4-28 x 3/4 ... 1/4 drive is ideal.
zuspiel
Well-known member
I'd also go with the 3/8 and then 1/2 sets.
And if you fill in larger socket sizes, 12 pt is usually ok.
I don't think you'll round off any 1" bolt with a 12 pt socket..
And if you fill in larger socket sizes, 12 pt is usually ok.
I don't think you'll round off any 1" bolt with a 12 pt socket..
Merkava_4
Banned
I have yet to see a 12-point fastener that would require a 1/2 inch drive socket. 
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
Lots of capscrews / head bolts require 1/2" drive 12 points.I have yet to see a 12-point fastener that would require a 1/2 inch drive socket.
Merkava_4
Banned
12-point head bolts on what?
Harley Davidson head bolts.
Diesel-Mech
Well-known member
Cummins, Detroit, Cat, Mack engines.12-point head bolts on what?
Merkava_4
Banned
Adam McLaughlin
Well-known member
I have yet to see a 12-point fastener that would require a 1/2 inch drive socket.
Try getting off a Ford driveshaft bolts, they are 12 MM x 12 PT and lock tighted in. My MG 31 won't break them loose. I special ordered the 1/2" drive Snap On deep impact socket for just these. I think you can see it in Catalog 1,000 in the "Diesel" section. My MG725 will knock them right out when prompted.
)Adam
Merkava_4
Banned
I guess I'm just used to seeing small 12-point fasteners on jet engines; they'll be 5 million of those things on there.
Adam McLaughlin
Well-known member
Ugh. Hate 12 pt. I buy everything in six because they are MUCH stronger. In fact, this was THE reason why I started to buy Snap On - all of the local Craftsman stuff wanted to be 12 PT. Maybe Craftsman made 6 point and all of the local guys snatched it all up - who knows.
Adam
Adam
Merkava_4
Banned
You'll get more surface contact between a 12-point socket and a 12-point fastener than you will with a 6/6.
Like I've said here before. I would get (and did get ) 12 point sockets before 6 point since they are much more versatile and all the 6pts in the world wouldn't remove a 12pt bolt.
To answer the Op's question: I would start with 1/2" drive since most of the toughest 12pt bolts I have encountered are not removable with 3/8". The only 12pt that I needed in 3/8" drive was an 5/16" for a con rod on an old Evinrude snowmobile.
To answer the Op's question: I would start with 1/2" drive since most of the toughest 12pt bolts I have encountered are not removable with 3/8". The only 12pt that I needed in 3/8" drive was an 5/16" for a con rod on an old Evinrude snowmobile.
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Chris Adams
Well-known member
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- Oct 21, 2007
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I wonder about needing 12 point in sets. I have a complete set, 1/4-3/8-1/2 in deep and shallow and almost never use one. Yes, on some rod bearing caps, some odd bolds and some old bolts I've used them but can't say they paid for themselves even after 30 years.
Of course I do almost no HD work and no big rig work at all.
Of course I do almost no HD work and no big rig work at all.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
I have yet to see a 12-point fastener that would require a 1/2 inch drive socket.
You've never worked on a Boeing!
Not sure what all the desire is to have 6 pt. I have a 1/4 drive set of 6 pt at home (useless at work) but rarely use them, usually opting for the 12 pt set. I think all of my 3/8. 1/2 and 3/4 stuff is 12 pt except for the impact. I'm yet to break a socket or damage a bolt head, no matter whether working on the cars or tractor or airplane. 6 pt is cheap to make, that is why you see it at all.
Charles
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clueless
Well-known member
i just get the 12 point i need,in 1/4-1/2 drive.8mm for detroit fuel pumps,12mm,and 1/2 for driveshafts,5/8 for starters,and such as this.why have all he sizes if only a few get used?
Merkava_4
Banned
Frank Elson
Well-known member
I've got by with nothing but 12 point for forty years. Only started putting a 6pt set together - car boot sales/s/hand shops etc a few years ago.
For me and my friends it's always 1/2 inch first.
For me and my friends it's always 1/2 inch first.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Music to my ears, guys like me that grew up with nothing but 12pt sockets, only later adding 6pt as a convenience, but not viewing them as a necessity!
Nikolai_V
Well-known member
All of my sockets are 12-point, excepting impacts (of course). When the day comes that I need a 12-point impact, I`ll buy some.
As for drive size, until I came on here I didn`t even own 3/8 - just a comprehensive 1/4 and 1/2 selection - I have 1/2 down to 7mm, and 1/4 3mm - 14mm (with imperial equivalents).
3/8 seems to be an american thing I guess... now of course thanks to GJ I have a FLF80, and a nice 3/8 koken set. Handy for pulling engine ancillaries off smaller european vehicles, but for diesels and land-rovers 1/2 is definitley needed.
As for drive size, until I came on here I didn`t even own 3/8 - just a comprehensive 1/4 and 1/2 selection - I have 1/2 down to 7mm, and 1/4 3mm - 14mm (with imperial equivalents).
3/8 seems to be an american thing I guess... now of course thanks to GJ I have a FLF80, and a nice 3/8 koken set. Handy for pulling engine ancillaries off smaller european vehicles, but for diesels and land-rovers 1/2 is definitley needed.
As a long time mechanic, 12 point is the first choice. The 12 points are faster and easier to use. They are much better when using a tool like a breaker bar, T handle, or non ratcheting torque wrench, etc. If you have a flank drive socket like a Snap-On, the 12 point will work nearly as well as a 6 point and is all that is needed 99.99% of the time. I do not even own many 6 point sockets. If you were to measure the torque it takes to round off a fastener, the 6 point will give you little more than a 12. The exception where 6 points have their worth is in places like exhaust systems or industrial highly corrosive environments or applications where the fasteners get beat up. And 6 point box end wrenches are totally worthless.
I normally use 1/4" drive up to half inch sockets and would not want to have to use 3/8" to turn those sizes. Likewise with 3/8" drive up to 3/4" sockets. If you use them every day on the job, speed and ease of handling is important and the smaller sized drive tools and 12 point sockets win out.
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I normally use 1/4" drive up to half inch sockets and would not want to have to use 3/8" to turn those sizes. Likewise with 3/8" drive up to 3/4" sockets. If you use them every day on the job, speed and ease of handling is important and the smaller sized drive tools and 12 point sockets win out.
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Try getting off a Ford driveshaft bolts, they are 12 MM x 12 PT and lock tighted in. My MG 31 won't break them loose. I special ordered the 1/2" drive Snap On deep impact socket for just these. I think you can see it in Catalog 1,000 in the "Diesel" section. My MG725 will knock them right out when prompted.
Adam
Took the post right out of my mouth. 3/8dr., 12 pt. impacts,shallow are the first one I bought years ago, they do double duty.